World

Obama Ponders Outreach to Elements of the Taliban

by Babel-Fish | March 8, 2009 at 03:30 am

97 views | 2 Recommendations | 3 comments

WASHINGTON — President Obama declared in an interview that the United States was not winning the war in Afghanistan and opened the door to a reconciliation process in which the American military would reach out to moderate elements of the Taliban, much as it did with Sunni militias in Iraq.

I think that he may be listening to the right advisors, but he has to take a different approach its better than staying with the status quo. This affair is not going to be won on strength its going to won at looking at the history of events and see that the russian invaders and all invaders have not really won a thing in Afghanistan. The tribesmen there have been struggling and fighting for centuries they are not easily over whelmed, kept in check but never over runned. Its all a matter of bad moutain terain that allows the enemy to hide, fight then go back into hiding. The fight amost like the scotish warriors of old and the biggest empire them days had to build a wall.

Mr. Obama pointed to the success in peeling Iraqi insurgents away from more hard-core elements of Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, a strategy that many credit as much as the increase of American forces with turning the war around in the last two years. “There may be some comparable opportunities in Afghanistan and in the Pakistani region,” he said, while cautioning that solutions in Afghanistan will be complicated.

This is not a fight the west can win without coming to an aggreement with the tribesmen because they will never give in.

As he pressed forward with ambitious plans at home to rewrite the tax code, expand health care coverage and curb climate change, Mr. Obama dismissed criticism from conservatives that he was driving the country toward socialism. After the interview, which took place as the president was flying home from Ohio, he called reporters from the Oval Office to assert that his actions have been “entirely consistent with free-market principles” and to point out that large-scale government intervention in the markets and expansion of social welfare programs began under President George W. Bush.

You may note in the new york times story the comment about social reform and socialism of which I find amusing as it referer to President Bush's Administration for starting the train that Obama's now driving home.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Babel-Fish

at 03:54 on March 8th, 2009

Actual there is much more to the press conference than suggested by the head lines. Yep he talks about many things concerning his first days in the seat of power. It worth the total press conference story to get a drift what Obama is really up too.

djermano

at 17:12 on March 8th, 2009

Good Article here Bob....And it always takes more than war to win the people.....because there is one common thing that holds us together and that is humanity... We humans crave respect, friendship, and cooperation....whether the cooperation is between differing organizations or the same...

When has democracy ever carried its banner of intent as Peace seeking, without weapons and bombs, hiding behind the fear of reprisal? Never have I seen it......And I think that there is that side of the equation of Democracy we have failed time and time again in recognizing....It would be wonderful if Obama can bring this to our legacy of choice.....

I have wanted to bring The International Institute of Nonviolence to Afghanistan and Pakistan...an Organization that is functionally different than the UN, because the UN has been known to support violent measures at times....with its carrying on of Peace Keeping forces..

We need no militaries in the world for peace...because it is a complete contradiction to the process. Militaries only take over, force their makeup of change, instead of being a friendly hand to make our lives real and consistent toward relationships.

Hopefully Obama will see this light, and instead of bringing in troops.....bring in supplies of food and medicine, and the hope he truely inspires.

Rev. Jermano

Babel-Fish

at 19:28 on March 8th, 2009

I would agree but the worlds a crazy place and these people do crazy things. You go in bearing goods and goodness and get bit, offer more and get bit more.

Unfortunately while the beast have got the weapons, Angels get their wings blown if they have not got some righteous overwhelming fire power. That's the nature of the beast. However keep on praying while this atheist throw's more coins in the wishing well.

Perhaps one day we will see the peace that you pray for, and one of my coins will come up trumps.